← Back to NASA Technology Projects
Active TRL 4 (started at 4, targeting 7)
The Exploration Sabatier (ExS) Project will design and produce a technology that recovers oxygen (O2) from CO2 at exploration atmosphere pressures and operates safely in an enriched oxygen environment. The minimum success criteria for this project are that the ExS Engineering Development Unit (EDU) safely converts CO2 to water at exploration atmosphere pressures and operate safely in an enriched oxygen environment. The ExS Project addresses concerns regarding O2 recovery and multiple requests concerning water use and water resupply specified in NPD 1001.0. The goals, objectives, and metrics that define the ExS Project’s success are aligned with the Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate (ESDMD) Roadmap and both Lunar and Martian mission needs mentioned in NASA's Architecture Definition Document.
Having a Sabatier Reactor unit capable at operating in sub-ambient conditions in an enriched oxygen environment provides NASA with a viable life support system technology capable of converting carbon dioxide to water in habitats beyond low-earth orbit.
Recovering water from carbon dioxide is beneficial because, stoichiometrically, 50% of the oxygen that resides in carbon dioxide can be recovered and made into breathable oxygen for the crew. Since carbon dioxide is a byproduct of the human respiration cycle, this reduces the amount of water uptake required for generating oxygen onboard and allows for an extension in logistic resupply of water to these habitats.
Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.
This is early/mid-stage (TRL 4) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.
None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.